Uganda’s constitutional court led by Deputy Chief Justice Richard Butera unanimously declined to nullify the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 following a petition by Andrew Mwenda and 10 others who sought prayers to have the law quashed.
Following a court session on 18th December 2023, the constitutional delivered their judgement yesterday and the outcome wasn’t good news to the petitioners who came out fuming and vowed to appeal to the supreme court in their bid to uphold the rights of homosexuals in Uganda.
In the wake of the signing of the bill into by president Museveni on 26th May 2023, Western Powers especially the US threatened that Uganda will face several consequences including but not limited to sanctions, withdraw of funding to several key Museveni sectors in Education, Health, Defense, Democracy among others.
Before 2023 came to an end, several legislators are now not able to get visas to the US, prisons boss Dr Johnson Byabashaija was sanctioned by the US in December last year. The more painful to Museveni’s extravagant government was World Bank’s decision to suspend funding to Uganda, America also struck Uganda off the beneficiaries of it’s lucrative AGOA trade forum due to the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023.
Now following the Constitutional Court decision in the judgement read by Deputy Chief Justice Richard Butera, America’s Secretary has spelt doom for Uganda’s public health, international reputation and foreign investment. He says the new law undermines Uganda’s ability to agitate for investments at the international stage.
“Today’s verdict on Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act undermines human rights and public health for all and poses grave threats to LGBTQI+ Ugandans and allies. Uganda’s international reputation and ability to increase foreign investment depend on equality under the law.” Antony Blinken Tweeted.
Parliament last year passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 and president Museveni signed it into bill in May 2023. Upon signing it into law, it’s implementation took immediate effect.Like they did in 2014, veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda, Fox Odoi, Prof Sylvia Tamale, Dr Busingye Kabumba, Solome Nakaweesi, Dr Fank Mugisha, Kasha Jackeline Nabagesera, Richard Smith Lusimbo, Eric Ndaula, Williams Apako and the Human Rights Awareness and promotion forum petitioned the constitutional court to overturn the Anti Homosexuality Act 2023.
These contend that same sex intercourse between two consenting adults shouldn’t be a crime. They are also against the heavy fines, tough punishments including life imprisonment and death penalty which come with come with the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2024.
The controversial petition which was filed by Andrew Mwenda and others against the Attorney General on 29th May 2023 as the Key respondent on behalf of government was heard on 18th December by five justices led by Deputy Chief Justice Richard Butera, Geofrey Kiryabwire, Muzamiru Kibeesi, Monica Mugenyi and Christopher Gashirabake who heard the evidence and arguments presented to them and promised to give their verdict.
The justices of the Constitutional Court yesterday in a judgement read by the Deputy Chief Justice Richard Butera unanimously dismissed Andrew Mwenda and group’s petition and declined to nullify the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023. The justices have ruled that the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 does not violate the right to practice and profession.
Wooooow, Long Live the Constitution court of Uganda. We can’t accept shit of homosexuality